Rifle rack



Feb. 18, 1958 E. HINDI RIFLE RACK Filed Feb. 3. 1954 INVENTOR Ednen Hind i rIII u I C fl ATTORNEY United States Patent Oflice This invention relates to a rifle rack of extremely simple construction capable of supporting two conventional rifles substantially immovably with respect to the rack.

More particularly, it is an aim of the invention to provide a rifle rack primarily adapted for conveniently, safely and securely holding two rifles within the cab of a motor vehicle and which is likewise adapted for use in supporting rifles in other locations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rifle rack of extremely simple construction composed of corresponding sections capable of being readily adjusted for fitting rifles of different sizes and makes and for properly fitting supporting surfaces which may be straight or curved.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a rifle rack equipped with means to effectively prevent damage to the rifle or to a surface on which the rack is supported.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawing, illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the rack in an applied position and with one of the rack sections partly broken away;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure l, and

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a slightly modifled form of the invention.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, the rack comprising the invention is composed of two identical interchangeable rack sections, designated generally 5 and 6, so that a description of one will suflice for both. In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, each rack section comprises a frame, designated generally 7, preferably composed of two elongated bars or strips, designated generally 8 and 9.

The strip 8, constituting the mounting portion of the frame 7, comprises a longitudinally creased intermediate portion of substantially V-shape cross section, designated 10, as best seen in Figure 3, and uncreased end portions 11 and 12 which are preferably curved toward the grooved side of the intermediate portion 10, as seen in Figure 2. Said end portions 11 and 12 are each preferably provided with two longitudinally spaced fastening receiving openings 13.

The other rifle supporting strip or part 9 of the frame '7 likewise comprises an elongated strip including an intermediate portion 14 which is disposed against the edges 15 of the intermediate portion of the frame part 3 and which may be secured thereto in any suitable manner as by brazing or welding, as indicated at 16. The portions 10 and 14 combined to form a reinforced intermediate tubular frame portion. An upwardly turned back exten- 2,823,808 Patented. Feb. 18, 1958 sion of the lower end of the intermediate portion 14 constituting one end of the part 9 and which is spaced from the intermediate portion 14 cooperates therewith to form a lower hook 17 which opens upwardly. A portion 18 of the strip or bar 9 is turned back on the upper end of the intermediate portion 14 and extends downwardly on the outer side thereof and terminates in a forwardly and upwardly turned back upper hook portion 19 which is spaced outwardly from the portion 118 and which is disposed above and spaced from the open upper end of the lower hook 17. The strip portion 18 is preferably secured to the outer side of the upper part of the intermediate portion 14 as by welding or brazing, as indicated at 16 in Figure 2.

The frame part 8 may be formed of any suitable material possessing sufficient resiliency so that the end portions 11 and 12 may yield or spring relatively to the intermediate portion 10. The frame part 9 may be formed of any suitable material which is sufficiently bendable so that the hook portions 17 and 19 may be bent relatively to the portions 14 and 18 to vary the width of the hook openings.

Each rack section also includes a covering, designated generally 20, formed of a non-marring material, such as sheepskin or buckskin, including an elongated sleeve portion 21 which fits around and encloses the intermediate frame portions 10 and 14. Said sleeve portion 21 is capable of being opened from end-to-end thereof for application to or removal from the intermediate portion of the frame 7 and is closed from end-to-end thereof by means of a conventional slide fastener 22. The covering 20 additionally includes longitudinally spaced sleeve-like extensions 23 and 24 which open into the sleeve 21 and which are located and sized to enclose the hooks 17 and 19, so that the openings of the hooks are lined by the covering 28.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the rack sections 5 and 6 may be secured in upright or vertical positions on the inner side of a rear wall 25 of a motor vehicle cab, such as a truck or pickup, by headed screw fastenings 26 which extend through the openings 13 and which are anchored in the wall 25. The rack frame ends 11 and 12 are adapted to be straightened and brought under tension by the screw fastenings 26 so as to yieldably retain the back cover portion 27, which is disposed over the creased part of the intermediate portion 10, in tight engagement against a part of the wall 25, as seen in Figures 2 and 3, to prevent marring of the wall surface by the rack sections. The rack sections 5 and 6 are preferably disposed beyond the ends of the rear window 23 at an elevation so that a ride 29 supported by the lower hooks 17 will be disposed above the back rest 30. Likewise, the upper and lower hooks are spaced sufliciently so that a second rifle 31, supported by the two upper hooks 19 will not contact the lower rifle 29. As previously stated, the individual hooks 17 and 19 may be bent to vary the openings thereof for snug fitting engagement with the rifle portions engaged thereby to prevent movement of the rifles in the rack sections 5 and 6 due to vibration of the vehicle and to effectively prevent contact of the rifles with one another or with the wall 25 or Window 28. Figure 1 illustrates only one of numerous ways in which the two rifles may be mounted in the rack. For example, the upper rifle 31 can be mounted with the sights down and with the stock engaging the upper hook 119 of the rack section 6 and if so mounted and equipped with a telescopic sight, it would still clear the lower rifle 29.

Figure 4 illustrates a slightly modified form of the rack and wherein the rack sections do not include the cover 20 but rather the entire frame '7 thereof is covered by a coating of a non-marring material such as rubber or plastic, as seen at 32. Obviously, if desired, the covering yfb empl y wit the rack .frame having the coating 32.

It will also be obvious that the frame parts 8 and 9 -maybe formed of various materials certain of which may :notrequirea coating 3,2. It will also ibecapparent that the rack maybe ,mounted on any other supporting surface ,such as the wall-of .an enclosure althoughespecially well adapted for use in motor vehicle cabs to afford means -;for safely and conveniently carrying two rifles, which constitutethe'usual vehicle equipment for ranchers, farmers,

trappers and the like.

Various other modifications and changes are likewise contemplated and obviously may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims.

1 claim as ;my invention:

1. In a rifle rack, a rack section comprising an elon- .,gatedmounting member constituting a rear part of the rack section and including an elongated longitudinally creased intermediate portion of'V-shaped cross section having a concave forward side, said mounting member having upper and lower ends provided with fastening receiving openings, and a rifle supporting strip element having a flat intermediate portion disposed against and secured to the edges of the open forward side of said creased portion and combining therewith to form a reinforced intermediate tubular frame portion, said strip ele- .ment having a forwardly and upwardly extending lower end portion and successively downwardly folded and upwardly and forwardly extending upper end portion, said end portions forming vertically spaced upwardly opening rifle engaging hooks, said hooks being disposed on the forward side of said tubular frame portion.

2. In a rifle rack as in claim 1, a detachable covering including an elongated sleeve enclosing said tubular intermediate frame portion, saidcovering including individual hook enclosing sleeves projecting from and opening into said first mentioned sleeve and enclosing said upwardly opening hooks, said firstmentioned sleeve being open from end-to-end' thereof, .and fastening means for closing said first mentioned sleeve around the tubular frame portion for detachably mounting the covering thereon and on said upwardly opening hooks.

References'Cited in the file" of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 429,421 Coit June 3, 1890 612,298 Zuberbier Oct. 11, 1898 891,538 Greenman June '23, 1908 1,892,602 Beehler Dec. 27, 1932 2,436,533 Thomson Feb. 24, 1948 2,535,564 Campbell Dec. 26, 1950 2,552,879 Woerner May 15, 1951 

